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New start for taxi firm
A FATHER-and-son team has relaunched a well-known taxi firm which has risen from the ashes of a company that went into liquidation.
On Monday, a creditors' meeting took place in Derby to discuss the outstanding debts of 75 Transport.
But on the same day, Mohammed Yasin, a former director of 75 Transport, began trading with his new company, 75 Taxis Ltd.
75 Transport was formed just over a year ago following a merger between Derby Cabs and 72 Taxis.
The company employed 15 people at its call centre, supporting 100 taxis, 30 private hire cars and a fleet of mini buses, making it the largest operator in the city at the time.
But over the last 12 months, the firm, which was based off Ascot Drive, was hit by the economic downturn and decided to call in the liquidators.
The liquidation process has been completed, paving the way for Mr Yasin, and his son, Rafiq, to launch 75 Taxis Ltd.
The new company has moved into offices in Ashbourne Road and taken on 15 staff from the previous company. The firm has a fleet of 100 Hackney carriages – the largest number of any taxi firm in the city – and some executive private hire vehicles.
Mr Yasin said: "The previous company was hit by the downturn. Some of the corporate clients who we had contracts with went under and we struggled to reclaim money that was owed. Some of our drivers also left to set up on their own. Now we are looking forward. The staff are in a positive mood and so are the drivers. A number of drivers and customers are now coming back to us."
Mr Yasin has over 25 years' experience in the industry, having owned and managed Tudor Cars in the 1980s, and then New City Cars for much of the 1990s.
The new firm, 75 Taxis, will incorporate 72 Taxis, whose name has been re-established.
Mr Yasin's son, Rafiq, who is the firm's general manager, said: "It's about getting back to basics and being a cab company again. This means being on time and putting a friendly face forward to customers."
Paul Finnity, insolvency practitioner at corporate rescue firm Begbies Traynor, dealt with the liquidation.
He said: "This is another case of a business identifying problems early so that they can pay off creditors.
"I'm pleased that the taxi firm will live on because it is a business for which there will always be a market."
_________________ Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that. George Carlin
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